Type-writer attachment.



J. B. VIDAL.

TYPE WRITER ATTACHMENT.

APPLICATION FILED 311M. 2, 1010.

1,001,482 Pa en ed Aug. 22, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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TYPE WRITER ATTACHMENT.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR Jzawfiazzlmlz Vzaizl W ATTORNEYS uuuuuuuu PLANOGRAPH co..wAsumm'oN, u. c.

JUAN BAUTISTA VIDAL, OF NE'W YORK, N. Y.

TYPE-VJRITER ATTACHMENT.

1 comes.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 22, 1911.

Application filed September 2. 1910. Serial No. 580.150.

10 This invention relates to a new and improved attachment for typewriters whereby the operator is aided in operating the typewriter by the touch system, both in learning and subsequently, if desired.

The object of this invention is to provide a device which will be simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, strong, durable, and readily adjusted.

A further object of this invention is to provide a frame which will divide the various rows of keys into aisles by means otsuitable partitions, and which will further sub-divide thi aisles into tiers by means of stops, whereby the operatofis hands are antomatically pointed to their position relative to the keys of the typewriter.

These and further objects, together with the construction and combiinltion ot' parts, will be more particidarly described hereinatter and set forth in the claims.

Reference may be had to the accon'lpan'ying drawings in which like reterence characters denote corresponding parts in the several views, and in whicfh-- Figure 1 is a top plan showing one term of my device as applied to a typewriter ot the Smith Premier type; Fig. 2 a vertical section on the line 2- 2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a detached perspective view of the device 40 shown in Figs. 1 and 2; and Fig. at is a perspective View of the form of attacluncnt used in connection with such typewriters as the Remington and Underwood.

Referring more particularly to the several parts of the device, it will be seen that in either form it consists of a substantially rectangular frame 1, having a front 2 and a hack 3 extending at an angle to the sides t and 5 so that they will project substantially ISO-ivortically when the it 'ame as a whole is positioned on the typewriter in an inclined manner corresponding to the inclination of the banks of keys. It will be noted that in either form the frame is divided into aisles by partitions 6, 7, and 8. In the case of the form illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, which is used in connection with such typewriters as the Smith lrcn'iier, Yost, New lentury, and others. the partitions run parallel to the sides =land 5 extending vertically to a hori' zontal plane and to the Front 2 and back 3. in the case ol the Form shown in Fig. .1-, which is used in connection with such typewriters as the Remington, llnilcrwood, Monarch, and others, wherein the keys are not arranged in horizontally and vertically alined rows, it will be seen that the partitions (3, T. and h are disposed diagonally with respect to the trout, back, and sides. in either event the partitions are so located that they will divide the spaces included by the trauma, and thus the spaces allowed for the type keys, into two main aisles extending 'l'rom the middle outward. and which are adapted to indicate the field over which all the lingers with the exception of the little one, are to operate. The remainder of the spaces within the frame form two narrow aisles which in the case of the Form illustrated in Figs. 1 to I), is limited to a single vertically extending row ol keys, and which in the case. ot the torm illustrated in Fig. t is limited to triangular areas including a plurality ol. keys.

While the use oi partitions for guiding the operation ot the lingers in the dillerent aisles might be sutlicienl in some cases. it is highly desirable. especially in such typewriters as the Smith Premier, to divide these aisles into tiers whereby the location of the dill'ercnt rows of keys may be accurately determined without looking at the keys. For this purpose, as will be seen in the term shown in Figs. 1 to 3, a plurality of steps or projections 9 and 10 are provided at suitable intervals on the partitions (3, 7, and 8. These stops extend into the two larger intermmliate aisles and may, it desired, be extended into the sn'ialler side aisles, but it is generally considered not necessary. It will be seen that in the Form illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, the stops 9 and 10 divide the tiers having the small letters 'trom the tiers having the capital letters, and also divide the latter tiers trom the upper row o't character keys. Tn the case of the frame. illustrated in Fig. 4- where the same keys are used to depress both the capital and small letters. it-

not necessary to have two sets of stops on the partitions (3, 7, and 8, and in this case one set, indicated by the numeral 9, is shown.

The operation of the device will be readily understood when taken in connection with the above description. The frame is set over the keys in the manner indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, and the operator places his fingers so as to be guided by the partitions 6, 7, and 8, and the sides 4 and 5. The up and down motion of the operators fingers is limited largely by their coming in contact with the front 2, the back 3, and the stops 9 and 10. It will thus be seen that a simple and eflicient device is provided whereby an operator can keep his eyes constantly on his notes and pay no attention to the keys, and yet obtain accurate results.

While I have shown two embodiments of my invention, I do not wish to be limited to the specific details thereof but desire to be protected in various changes and alterations which may come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent,-

1. An attachment for a typewriter adapted to afford guiding means for the fingers of an operator, whereby the location of the various keys of said typewriter may be ascertained without the use of the operators eyes, comprising a hollow frame having a front, back and sides, partitions for dividing the area inclosed by said frame into aisles, and stops for indicating the positions in said aisles.

2. An attachment for a typewriter adapted to afford guiding means for the fingers of an operator, whereby the location of the various keys of said typewriter may be ascertained without the use of the operators eyes, comprising a hollow frame having a front, back and sides, partitions for dividing the area inclosed by said frame into aisles, and a series of stops secured to said partitions and projecting into said aisles, adapted to locate predetermined points within said aisles, corresponding to certain rows of said keys. 1 i

3. An attachment for a typewriter adapted to afford guiding means for the fingers of an operator, whereby the location of the variouskeys of said typewriter may be ascertained without the use of the operators eyes, comprising a frame, partitions secured to said frame and adapted to divide the space intermediate the sides of said frame into aisles, and stops secured to said partitions and projecting a short distance into said aisles, whereby the position of certain of said keys may be determined without obstructing the movement of the operators hands.

4. An attachment for a typewriter adapted to afford guiding means for the fingers of an operator, whereby the location of the various keys of said typewriter may be ascertained without the use of the operators eyes, comprising a frame having sides, and a front and back extending at an angle to said sides, partitions for subdividing the area inclosed by said frame, extending. in the same vertical direction as said sides, and stops projecting from said partitions.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JUAN BAUTISTA VIDAL.

lVitnesses:

HoRATIo VVHITING, PHILIP D. RoLLI-IAUs.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

